Kurt Rambis, the former player and coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, appears to be closing in on a deal that would bring him back to the bench of his former team, except this time he’d be a part of Mike D’Antoni’s coaching staff.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers and Rambis should have a deal done by Friday:

Kurt has been seen on occasion with both D’Antoni and general manager Mitch Kupchak during some of the Lakers’ Summer League games in Las Vegas this month.
Although it is unclear what role Rambis would have with the team, he spent the majority of his years focusing on defensive schemes, a place many say D’Antoni could use some help. Rambis, who is very defensive-minded, could possibly be one of the missing links the team needs to turn things around.
If the Lakers and Rambis do agree on a deal, it would be his third time joining the team as a coach.
A signing of Rambis would suggest that Kurt’s good friend Phil Jackson will have a bigger role with the team than any of us might have guessed, as his voice may be heard through Rambis, which should excite Laker fans everywhere.

According to reports by former Los Angeles Lakers broadcaster Joel Meyers, Kurt Rambis is the new assistant coach to Mike D’Antoni. Rambis will serve primarily as the defensive coach which is a definite concern in 2013 for the Lakers. Rambis previously held the assistant position under Phil Jackson during the championship years. Rambis comes back to Los Angeles after spending time as the Minnesota Timberwolves head coach and ESPN analyst.

Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported over the weekend that the Lakers were thinking about bringing one of Jackson's lieutenants, former Wolves (and Lakers) coach Kurt Rambis, on board as an assistant. The inference was clear: Rambis could incorporate some of Jackson's beloved triangle offense into D'Antoni's quiver, without actually being Jackson. The Lakers were also reportedly working on bringing former Magic coach Johnny Davis -- who coached Howard as a rookie in Orlando -- to the bench.

D'Antoni was, reportedly, more than OK with the move, if it helps keep Howard -- "Mike's on board," one source said.